ELAC Foundation Secures Laptops for Addiction Studies Students

Monterey Park, CA – The California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA) has donated over $26,000 worth of laptops to ELAC Foundation to help ELAC’s Addiction Studies Department. These laptops will be used by addiction studies students who are without access to a computer during this pandemic.

In 2019 East Los Angeles College (ELAC) was one of 52 California Community Colleges to be awarded a grant from the State of California ($113,636) to start a Formerly or Currently Incarcerated Students (FOCIS) program. ELAC also received a $300,000 grant from LA County to provide addiction studies education to felony probationers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most classes were converted to an online format. Unfortunately, many students lacked a computer and appeared to be in danger of not being able to complete their courses. Thanks to the immediate involvement of the ELAC Foundation, CalPIA, and ELAC Addiction Studies personnel, needy students were able to receive a laptop.

Some of the affected students were in an offsite class located downtown at the Anti Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Mr. Harvey Knight, Senior Life Coach at ARC, said, “Thanks ELAC for coming through for our students at this crucial time.”

Dr. Armond Aghakhanian (left), Development Director for the ELAC Foundation presents a refurbished laptop to Anthony Jordan (right), student in ELAC’s Addiction Studies program who is earning his prevention specialist certificate at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) in downtown Los Angeles. Anthony can now continue his education online with his classmates.